Strongsville Brings in the Holiday Cheer!

Meet Erin from Erin’s Enchanted Gems!

I make fun and unique jewelry out of wood, metal and gemstones. I also make unique wood carved items including beaded pens and name badges.

My grandpa inspires me to create. He was an amazing artist and crafter. I went to all the craft fairs with him when I was younger, and my dream was to be just like him. I truly enjoy crafting. It calms me down after a long day.

I have always been artistic since I was a child, but it was not until the last couple of years that I was able to find my own unique process that I am proud of.

My process is abstract. I work with a laser cutter and engraver to create many items I did not know how to create. I begin by making or finding the design. I then laser and engrave the wood and hand paint the items.

In five years, I hope to grow my small business and have a small shop. I want to bring people joy with what I create. I love what I make, and I want to pass that onto the people who buy or view my creations. Most importantly, I want to make my grandpa proud!

Meet Loralee Wondrak from Miss Lee’s Mystical Emporium...

I started Miss Lee’s Mystical Emporium during the COVID shutdown. I wanted to create beauty and hygiene products that were healthy and sustainable. 

Health and happiness for the mind, body and soul was our motto. We make organic homemade soaps, body butters, lotions, soy candles and lip balms. We hand pick crystals & stones from around the world to delight and bring joy to others.

 Meet Tom and Mary Ann Vitou from Art by Vito...

Art has been a part of me since I could pick up a pencil and crayons. What could I do with this blank sheet of paper? I have always been drawn to color and line. In college, I immersed myself in all the drawing and painting classes that were offered. I have worked as an illustrator for art departments in advertising agencies. Now, I am a self-employed freelance landscape designer. On the side, I make paintings for family and friends. I hope to start selling my art on a commercial level.

I discovered my talent in junior high when an art teacher told me I should pursue my creativity further with more professional individuals. 

I have been an artist since I graduated from Cooper School of Art in 1981. 

I have always been drawn to drawing and painting, and I enjoy the creativity of other artists throughout history. 

I like the challenge of a blank canvas and creating something nobody else has seen.

My creative process involves preliminary drawings with pencil and pen which pushes me to create the final drawing or painting. I do a lot of work with watercolor, acrylics, and pencils to get the final piece.

In five years, I hope to be working as an artist full-time producing artwork for potential clients that will be happy with the final product. I also want to continue growing as an artist on the national level. I try to capture life and objects that reflect my views of the world.

Meet Courtney Hill from Candlelight Creations...

Candlelight Creations is a small business that focuses on making your house smell like home with our unique hand poured candles! We have been in business for a year, but we have been making candles for three years now.

We love creating beautiful pieces of art that smell as good as they look. Candle making is a great way for us to relax, and we hope you can relax with our candles too.

We discovered our talent through lots of practice. Our creative process often involves trial and error trying to see what looks good together. The message behind our work is relax, unwind, and enjoy the moment!

Meet Diana Krajewski from Whimsey by Diana...

My name is Diana Krajewski of Whimsey by Diana. I have been doing machine embroidery for 10 years. My sister-in-law had a single needle embroidery machine, and she showed me how it worked. I was hooked! I got a single needle machine shortly after that. 

After I retired, I was making so much stuff that I didn’t know what to do with it, so I started doing craft shows. That was six years ago. Now, I have three multi needle machines!

I love what I do so much. I’m now learning how to make my own designs. I hope to continue this for many years to come!

2025 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

Strongsville Ehrnfelt Recreation Center

18100 Royalton Rd.

Strongsville, Ohio 44136

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com

Visit us on:

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Discover Talented Creators in Strongsville!

Meet Jody Pulaski from White Dog Crafts...

My name is Jody, and I am retired and have been crafting for over 20 years. My daughter works a full-time job but attends craft shows with me, and together, we sell our 3D shadow box paper art frames. Our company is even named after our little white Coton de Tulear dog!

We’ve been making and selling these 3D shadow box frames for about two years. Years ago, we created accordion memory books and sold them at craft shows, so crafting has always been a big part of our lives.

This will be our first time participating in the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and we’re really looking forward to it!

I find inspiration in color, paper, and anything that might stand out. I have been scrapbooking for years, using a lot of cutting and embossing machines, and one day, I saw this product online and thought, "I think I could make a go of producing these."

My creative process comes from years of crafting. I follow crafting bloggers and Facebook groups looking for designs and patterns, then I create a scene in my mind and search for images that I can cut to bring my 3D shadow boxes to life.

Since I am fully retired, I’m not exactly sure where I see my business in five years. Each year, I try to improve our product—I recently added a smaller 5"x5" frame size, and now I’m working on adding LED lights. I’d also like to expand into larger craft shows, even out-of-state events.

Ultimately, everyone has a different taste in decor, and I just want people to enjoy their selection—whether they are decorating their own homes or purchasing gifts for others.

Meet Gehan Hussein from Thread n Beads...

Hello! I am Gehan Hussein, an Egyptian college professor currently living in the USA with my husband. I have three children who are self-dependent now, which enables me to dedicate plenty of time to my passion for hand-crafted creations.

I have been embroidering since I was 16. I used to embroider my t-shirts and those of my sisters and friends. Also, I made a large quantity of gemstone necklaces throughout my life, whether for my personal use or as gifts for the people I love. 

This is my first time taking part in the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows. I'm looking forward to it. 

My study of Literature taught me to appreciate whatever is artistic and authentic. It helped develop my creative skills and endowed me with a distinctive vision. My love for nature and my desire to turn everything around me into a distinctive piece of art is what got me into crafting. 

It is my mum who noticed that I am talented in whatever is handmade. She encouraged me and provided me with the materials I needed. I feel that whatever I make is unique because it is an expression of how I feel and how I see the world around me. 

In five years, I see myself standing out with my brand. Through my work, I want to share a simple message: Be yourself. Keep it simple. Get closer to nature, where you can find peace and beauty. 

Meet Vedelia Tompkins from Awakening Body Products...

I love creating all-natural products with quality ingredients that deliver amazing results!

One of my standout products is my Mango Body Lotion and Mango Body Butter, which help soothe irritated skin from conditions like eczema, rashes, burns, cracked feet, psoriasis, sunburn, and more. My lotions have become a best-seller, and I take pride in offering products that truly make a difference.

2025 Strongsville Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, March 8, 2025

 10:00am-4:00pm

Strongsville Ehrnfelt Recreation Center

18100 Royalton Rd.

Strongsville, OH 44136

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM